by Tom Okarma | Mar 8, 2012 | Blog, Leadership, Strategic Planning
Working with a nonprofit recently, I asked to see a copy of its organization chart-you know, the chart depicting how things are organized. As soon as I saw it, I became leery. The chart listed the names of people, rather than the departments they lead. This is often a...
by Tom Okarma | Feb 29, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership
For new board members, lead directors, and board presidents, I recently came across an excellent book. I’d consider it a “must read” and it applies to any board: for profit, nonprofit, secular, faith-based, public, private…whatever. I remember my early days on...
by Tom Okarma | Feb 9, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership
Leaders have very little time to set a new tone, to begin installing a new DNA into an organization. The popular take on this is 100 days…give or take. That’s why I really like the way Theo Epstein and his new crew of leaders have literally torn into the Cubs...
by Tom Okarma | Jan 5, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership, Strategic Planning
I was recently asked by a friend of mine about the difference between an organization having a board of directors versus a board of trustees. He is trying to determine which model best helps him grow and refocus his small but successful organization. He wants to grow...
by Tom Okarma | Dec 15, 2011 | Blog, Leadership, Strategic Planning
Have you ever had to rebuild a department, ministry, or an entire organization or church? Did you wrestle with how much to structure the process versus letting others handle it? We did. One of our departments had gone through a tough period. An ego-driven leader had...